by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:45 AM ET, Mon March 9, 2026
The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory for Saudi Arabia was updated on Sunday, March 8 to reflect new information and warnings about proximity to the war in the Middle East.
The advisory remains at Level 3, discouraging Americans from visiting the country.
“Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of Iranian drone and missile targeting of American interests, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity,” the new advisory reads.
“Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights,” it continues. “The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia due to the safety risks.”
On March 8, the Department of State ordered non-emergency government employees and family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks associated with the war in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia was one of the 14 countries the United States told travelers to leave immediately following the February 28 U.S.-Israel joint attack on Iran, which was followed by retaliatory attacks by Iran on many neighboring countries.
U.S. citizens currently in Saudi Arabia should fill out an intake form, found on the advisory’s webpage, to request assistance.
The advisory also noted that the FAA released a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning pilots about the risk of flying within or nearby the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which includes Saudi Arabia.
The most recent update from the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia told travelers on Monday, March 9: “Commercial flights are currently operating out of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran. Saudi airspace remains open, but with significant flight cancellations and prolonged operational delays. Americans should strongly consider departing on one of these flights if they believe it is safe to do so. Visit airline websites to find information about flight availability and purchasing tickets.”
It also encourages stranded travelers to fill out the State Department’s crisis intake form for help leaving the country.
As the war in the Middle East enters its second week, travelers are still trying to get home after they report being left “stranded,” by the U.S. government, after Iran’s retaliatory strikes hit airports and closed large swathes of the airspace in the Middle East early last week.
According to the most recent news, at least 27,000 Americans have already left the region, largely by the remaining commercial flights operating throughout the region.
Yet there could still be hundreds of thousands of Americans still stuck in the Middle East. The U.S. State Department has not issued a full numerical estimate, however.
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